Shape People; a Toddler Counting Activity

Yep. My toddler is 100% here for this activity. These shape people are hard to resist and have a little counting activity twist. Put this toddler counting activity on repeat. It’s a good one and is part of our favorite 101 preschool activities collection.

RELATED: Where can you find even more preschool math activities? Here are our top 50 math activities for preschoolers.

Table of Contents:

1. How to teach toddlers shapes
2. Combine multiple math skills into one easy activity
3. Supplies
4. Let’s set up this toddler counting activity!
5. What should I expect?
6. FAQ
7. Shape People; a Toddler Counting Activity

How to teach toddlers shapes:

Teach your toddler shapes through play. When I teach my toddlers shapes, I try to incorporate a variety of learning styles. 

• Discuss corners. (vertices) 
• Invite your toddler to go on a shape hunt.
• Go outside to find shapes in the environment.
• Look at objects within the home.
• Move. 
• Talk about the sides of each shape.
• Touch the shapes. 

RELATED: Stuck inside? This is a terrific list of indoor games for kids.

Combine multiple math skills into one easy activity

My three-year-old can count; however, he works on matching a number symbol to the correct number amount. Begin with smaller numbers and keep the setup simple, just like we do in these easy toddler activities.

I knew that adding shape people into his number practice would be a home run. These shape people are inviting to look at and help my toddler learn math hands-on. This means that he is actively working with his hands as he thinks rather than counting numbers on a worksheet. He and I also talk about the different shapes and total amounts. 

Simple math activities like this give us plenty to chat about as he learns through play and sip my hot tea. 

RELATED: I like to call these morning activities Breakfast invitations.

Supplies

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Let’s set up this toddler counting activity!

1. Tape down the white paper roll.
2. Add simple shape figures. Here, we included a triangle, oval, rectangle, square, and rhombus.
3. Add facial expressions. I keep the shapes happy, but you can also mix in different emotions. 
4. Draw black dots in the middle of the dot stickers to make eyes. 
5. When the shape people are finished, I place the dot stickers to the left of the paper and invite my toddler to begin.

PRO TIP: I want to remember that teachers will refer to the diamond as a rhombus in school, so using this language will help him down the road. We can include these shapes in other activities such as shape activities, Mystery Shapes, and Craft Stick Shape Match.

These dots stickers are a powerful way to strengthen fine motor strength in small hands.  And yep! This simple math activity is a lot like its twin, Monster Googly Eye Count-Up. 

What should I expect?

Sometimes when the boys are finished, they add coloring to the activity. Other times, they jump right out of their seat and play. 

The idea is to plant the seed of important concepts to come. 

This simple math activity worked on important math skills:

• 2D shapes
• Counting 
• Number symbols
• Number names
• Quantity (number amounts)

Childhood isn’t a race; the goal is to offer many opportunities to learn and repeat ideas to build upon prior knowledge through play prompts.

FAQ